Switch operating and locking mechanism.



No. 737,354. 7 v PAT-ENTED AUG. 25, 1903.. E. W. GOUGHLIN. SWITCH OPERATING AND LOGKING'MECHANISM.

APPLICATION IILBD JAN. 5, 1908.

I0 MODEL. 3 8

WITNESSES: I t w Q a I'm ATTORNEY unnms vzrzns co. monxumu WASHINGTON, n c.

PATENTED AUG. 25,1903; E; W. GOUGHLIN.. SWITCH OPERATING AND LOCKING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 5. 1903.

, 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

H0 MODEL.

- IN TOR w Edward Ww /zZZ/v YIWITNESSES; v

ATTORNEY No. 737,354. PAI'BNTED AUG. 25, 1903,

' E. w. GOUGHLIN.

SWITCH OPERATING AND LOCKING MECHANISM.

. APPLICATION FILED cum. 5. 190a N0 MODEL. 3 SHEETB-SHEET 3 3'9 70 r J v 7 7/ Tlmc ru.

-J L Wm 7 WITNESSES: I 1, 47 V I W g Edward Wozg/zlzk 4 BY 4w TTORNEY on the dotted line 2 2 of Fig. 3.

U ITED STATES iPatented August 25, Iii 903 EDWARD W. COUGHLIN, OF NEWV YORK, N. Y.

SWITCH OPERATING AND'LOCKING MECHANISM.

SPECIFICATION forming part 'of Letters Patent No. 737,354, dated August 25, 1903.

Application filed January 5,1903. Serial No. 137,764. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD W. COUGH- LIN, a citizen of the United States, and aresident of New York city, in the county of Richmond and State of New York, have invented,

certain new and useful Improvements in Switch Operating and Looking Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in switch operating and locking mechanism and it consists in the novel features, arrangement, and combinations of parts hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In accordance with my invention I provide a simple mechanism for opening and closing railway-switches, for rigidly locking the switch-tongue in its adjusted position, for detecting to the operator handling the switch any failure of the switch-tongue to attain its correct position for setting the signal-light in accordance with the condition of the switch and cooperating-rails, and for enabling the independent adjustment of the switch-rails with respect to each other and to the rails with which they cooperate; and the object of my invention is to afford entirely efficient, convenient, and safe switch-operating mechanism.

The invention will be fully understood from the detailed description hereinafter presented, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, in which- Figure 1 is a top view, partly broken away, of a portion of a railway-switch and cooperating rails equipped with mechanism constructed in accordance with and embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section of a portion of the switch moving and locking mechanism, with the detectorbar in its locking position, this section being Fig. 3 is a vertical section of same on the dottedrline 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a top view of the box or casing through which the detector-bar and switch-shifting bar passes. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detached side elevation of the switch-.

shifting bar. Fig. 6 is a vertical section of same on the dotted line 6 6 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a top view of same. Fig. 8 isan enlarged detached side elevation of the cam-plates and link which cooperate with the shifting-bar for unlocking the latter when the switch-rails are to be moved. Fig. 9 is a detached side elevation of the link connected with said camplates. Fig. 10 is a detached top View of the cam-plates and link shown. in Fig. 8. Fig. 11

is a detached top view of the said link. Fig. 12 is a detached front elevation of the locking-bar cooperating with the said shiftingbar and cam-plates. Fig. 13 is a vertical section of same on the dotted line 13 13 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a bottom edge view of same, and,

Fig. 15 is an enlarged top view of the adjustable head-rod which connects the two rail members of the switch and which is also connected with the shifting-bar presented in Figs.

' 5 and 7.

In the drawings, 20 21 denote the rails for the main line, and 22 23 the side-track rails, and

the rail members 21 22 (shown in Fig. 1) comprise the switch members,which are connected together by the head-r0d,the latter comprising the rod 24 and bars 25 26, which are respectively secured to the switch-rails 21' 22 and have outwardly-projecting guiding members 27 of usual character. The facing ends of the bars 25 26 are formed with the right-angular members 28, which are apertured to permit the passage through the same of the inner threaded end of the rod 24, which is locked within said angular members 28 by means of the nuts 29 at the inner or facing sides of said members 28 and the nuts 30 at the outer sides of said members 28, and the inner nuts 29 are locked against rotation when in their operative position by means of the laterally-bent lips 31 at the ends of said mem invention is to enable the adjustment of the switch-rail 21 with respect to the rail 23 without requiring any adjustment of the switchoperating mechanism proper. If it should be found that the switch-rail 21 is not in the proper adjustment with the rail 23, the nuts 30 for the bar 26 may be loosened orsc-rewed from contact with the angular member 28 of said bar, and thereupon the bar 26 and rail 21 may be moved outwardly to the extent IOO then permitted by the new position of said nuts 30, after whichthe nuts 29 for said bar 26 will be moved to the position required for securing the new adjustment of the rail 21 and the bar 26 then moved up against said nuts 29, after which the nuts 30 will be again tightened against the said angular member 28 of the bar 26 for the purpose of rigidly holding the switch-rail 21 in its adjusted position. The adjustment of the rail 21 may be thus secured without disturbing or requiring any resetting of the switch-operating mechanism proper, and this is a feature of great advantage.

The rod 24 extends below and outwardly beyond the rail 23 and at its outer end is pivotally secured by a bolt 32, Fig. 2, to the inner end of the shifting-bar 33, whose-outer end, as shown in Fig. 7, is formed with an elongated slot 34 to receive the bolt 35, Fig. 2, connecting the link 36 (by loose connection) with said bar 33 and which bolt has applied upon its upper end the link 37, Figs. 10 and 11, connected with the cam-plates 38, the latter being disposed one at each side of the shaft-bar 33 and having the oppositely-inclined cam-surfaces 39 40 and upper level surface 41, while at their inner ends the camplates 38 are recessed or cut away, as at 42, Fig. 10. The level surface 41 of the camplates 38 is on a higher horizontal plane than the upper surfaces of the shifting-bar 33, and the said upper surface of said bar is formed with the upwardly-projecting portion 43 and seats 44 45, disposed at the ends of said portion 43, the said seats 44 45 having oppositely-beveled edges, as shown in Fig. 6, and adapted to receive the lower end of the locking-bar 46, which is also at its opposite lower edges beveled off, as at 47, where said bar is to be contacted with by the inclined surfaces of the cam-plates 38. The shifting-bar 33 and cam-plates 38 are mounted to slide within a boxing 49, within which the locking-bar 46 is adapted to have a vertical movement, said boxing 49 comprising a cap-section 50.and a base-section 51, the latter being recessed at its lower surface to fit upon the plate 52, rigidly mountedupon the beams or plates 53, as shown in Fig. 1. The base 51 is also formed with apertures 54, as shown in Fig. 4, to receive the bolts by which said base may be rigidly fastened to the plate 52. The capsection of the boxing 49 is provided with apertures 55 to receive the bolts by which said cap-section may be firmly secured to the basesection 51.

33 and cam-plates 38 and also a transverse chamber to receive and permit the vertical movementof the locking-bar 46, the latter.

being guided upon vertical pins 56, Fig. 3, upon which are arranged the spiral springs 57, normally pressing the locking-bar 46 to its downward position. (Shown in Figs. 2 and 3.) The cap-section 50 of the boxing v49 is formed with the longitudinal passage 58 interfered with by meddlers.

WVithin the boxing 49 is formed the longitudinal passage for the shifting-bar for the detector-rod 59, this passage 58 being just above the upper level of the locking-bar 46 when the latter is in its lower position, as shown in Fig. 2, so that when said rod 59 is in its locking position, as shown, the locking-bar 46 will be prevented from ascending from the switch-bar 33. other duties, which will be hereinafter specified, in addition to serving as a means for locking the bar 46 in its lower position.

The outer end of the link 36 is pivotally secured to a bell-crank lever 60, Fig. 1, which is adapted to be operated for throwing the bar 33 and cam-plates 38 by the movement of a rod 61 of usual character and operable from a switch-stand of ordinary construction. (Not shown.)

The outer end of the detector-rod 59 is pivotally connected with the horizontal pivoted manually-operable lever 62, to which is connected the rod 63 for the signal apparatus 64, so that upon the movement of the said lever 62 the detector-rod 59 and signal-rod 63 may have simultaneous'movement, the purpose being that 'the signal apparatus 64 shall i11- dicate by a color the condition of the switch. The lever 62 is provided at one end with a vertical handle 65, and this end of the lever 62 is confined within a horizontal frame 66, which limits the stroke of said lever. The lever 62 is formed with a small staple or eye 67, adapted to project through the end of the frame 66, as shown in Fig. 1, and to receive a padlock 68-, which may be utilized for the purpose of locking the lever 62 in the position shown, so that the lever 62 may not be 62 is in its position shown in Fig. l, its' outer end, carrying the handle 65, is directly over the handle end of the usual switch-lever 69 and prevents said switch-lever from being moved upward and over to its opposite position, this being an element of safety and requiring, before the switch lever 69 can be moved to move the rod 61 and throw the switch, the unlocking of the padlock 68 and the moving of the lever 62 to its opposite position, thereby,

as a preliminary, shifting the detector-rod 59 and operating the rod 63 to effect the display of the proper signal atthe apparatus 64, said apparatus 64 displaying red when the lever 62 is moved from the position shown and until said lever has been returned to the position shown. When the lever 62 is in the position in which it is illustrated in Fig. 1, the signal apparatus 64 will display a white light or color, indicating safety.

The cam-plates 38 are set on edge and are parallel to each other, and each of said plates at its outer end is formed with the upwardlyextending right-angular arm 7 O, as illustrated in Figs. 8 and 10, and the upwardly-extending arms '70 of the cam-plates 38 receive upon them the correspondingly-recessed transverse arm 71 of the link 37, said arm 71 being moved downward upon the said arms 7 O and secured in position by a bolt or rivet 72, passing trans- The detector-rod 59 performs When the lever versely through apertures in said arms 70 '71. The arms 7 O 71 notonly aid in connecting the link 37 with the cam-plates 38, but in preserving the due parallelism of the cam-plates 38 and affording a convenient and. durable structure.

The position of the parts illustrated in Fig. 1 is the normal correct position of the switch and operating mechanism when the cars are to travel on the main line, and in this position of parts it will be seen that the lever 62 at its outer end is over the handle of the switch-lever 69; that the shifting-bar 33 is in its outer position, with the switch-rail 21 against the rail 23; that the locking-bar 46 is in its lower position against its seat 44 on the shifting-bar 33; that the detector-rod 59 is above the locking-bar 46 and prevents the elevation of the latter, and that the signal apparatus 64 is in position to show the color white. When it is desired to shift the switchrails 21 22 to their opposite position, the permanent attendant or a trainman from the train desiring to move on the side rails will free the padlock 68 and move the lever 62 to its opposite position and from over the switchlever 69, thus withdrawing the detector-rod 59 from over the locking-bar 46 and, through the rod 63, setting the color red at the apparatus 64, whereupon the said attendant or trainman will throw the switch-lever 69 over to its other position and effect the movement of the rod 61 and bell-crank lever 60 with the result of, through the links 36 37, pushing the cam-plates 38 to elevate the locking-bar 46 from the seat 44 of the shifting-bar 33 and then driving said bar 33 through the boxing 49 for the purpose of, through the rod 24,

shifting the switch-rails 21 22. The first portion of the movement of the rod 61, bell-crank lever 60, and link 37 is solely to actuate the cam-plates 38 for the purpose of moving their inclined surface 39 against the bevel edge of the locking-bar 46 to elevate said bar 46 in opposition to the force of its springs 57, and this movement of the cam-plates 38 takes place while the bolt 35 of the link 36 is traveling from the outer end of the elongated slot 34 of the bar 33 to the inner end of said slot, upon reaching which the said cam-plates 38 will have performed their duty and the bolt 35 will engage the wall at the inner end of said slot 34 and effect the movement of the shifting-bar 33, rod 24, and switch-rails 21 22. WVhen the bar 33 is moved a sufficient distance to the left, the cam-plates 38 during the movement of the bar 33 traveling with the same, the bar 46 will descend upon the seat 45 of said bar 33, the inclined surfaces 40 of the cam-plates 38 then having gone beyond the said locking-bar 46. The engagement of the locking-bar 46 with the seat of the shifting-bar 33 isforthe purpose of looking said bar 43 and the parts operated therefrom, and it will be observed on reference to Fig. 2 that the seat 45 is on a somewhat-higher elevation than the seat 44, which inthis-sec- 0nd position of the'bar 33 leaves the upper edge of the locking-bar 46 partly closing the aperture 58 in the boxing 49 forthe detectorrod 59. The shifting-bar 33 thus has two extremes of position, one being that illustrated in the drawings and the other being the position given to it by the rod 61 and bell-crank lever when the locking-bar 46 engages the seat 45 of said bar 33. After the train has passed upon the side rails 22 23 the permanent attendant or a man from the train will return to the switch mechanism, throw the switch-lever 69 toits former position, being that shown, and then move the lever 62 until its outer end is above the handle end of the switch-lever 69, whereupon he will apply the padlock 68 for the purpose of locking the lever 62 in such position. During the return movement of the switch-lever 69 to its normal position shown the rod 61 will move outwardly and turn the bell-crank lever 60 for the purpose of withdrawing the shifting-bar 33 outwardly and moving the switch-rails 21 22 to the position in which they are shown in Fig. 1. During the first portion of the outward movement of the rod 61 the bell-crank lever 60 and link 36 will, through the bolt 35', first move the cam-plates 38 to elevate the locking-bar 46 from the seat 45 of the shifting-bar 33 and then said bolt ,35, having reached the outer end of the slot 34, draw the shifting-bar 33 outwardly until at the limit of its movement the locking-bar 46 descends and engages the seat 44 of said bar 33, this outward movement of the bar 33, to the extent indicated, assuring the return of the switch-rails 21 22 to the position in which they are illustrated in Fig. 1. In the event that any obstruction or foreign substance should pass between the rails 21 23 when said rails are separated from each other. and prevent the proper closing of the rail 21 against the rail 23 during the outward movement of the shifting-bar 33, this fact will be made apparent to the attendant or trainman attempting to operate the switch mechanism, because such obstruction or foreign substance would prevent the full outward movement of the shifting-bar 33, and therefore prevent the descent of the locking-bar 46 from the pas-' sage 58 of the boxing 49, and this detention of the locking-bar obstructing the said passage 58 would prevent the detector-bar 59 upon the movement of the lever 62 from passing through said boxing and above said lockingbar, the locking-bar when held in its upper position obstructing the passage 58 and blocking the movement of the rod 59. The rod 59 thus positively prevents the movement of the lever 62 to its normal position, (shown in Fig. 1,) and thus the attendant or trainman at the lever '62 would know by his inability to move said lever that the locking-bar 46 was in its upward position and that the rail 21 had not reached the rail '23. The rod 59 thus operates as a lock for the lever 62 and as a means for detecting that the locking-bar- 46 and switch rail 21 are out of position.

When the shifting-bar has moved to its full outward position, (shown in Fig. 2,) the lockin g-bar 46 will descend to the seat 44 and clear the passage 58, and at such time the detector-rod 59 may upon the movement of the lever 62 pass outward above said lockingbar 46, the rod'59 then serving to lock the bar 46 in its lower engaging position, in which position it will prevent the bar from moving toward the left and secure the relation of the switch-rail 21 against the rail 23. In the operation of the switch mechanism the attendant or trainman must therefore first unlock the lever 62 and move it to release the switch-lever 69, withdraw the detector rod 59 from over the locking -bar 46 and set the signal apparatus 64, and then throw the switch-lever 69 over for the purpose of actuating the operating rod 61 and bell crank lever for moving the cam-plates 38 and shifting-bar 33, and in returning the switchrails 21 22 to their former position the attendant or trainman must return the switch-lever 69 to its former position and thereafter move the lever 62 to its former position over the handle of said switch-lever 69, where it will be relocked by means of the padlock 68 or other suitable means. When the shiftingbar 33 and cam-plates 38 are in their normal position, (shown in Fig. 2,) the inner ends of said cam-plates will lie just at the right-hand edge of the chamber for the locking bar 46, and when the said bar and cam plates are moved toward the left the inner ends of said plates traverse the base of said chamber, and the recesses 42 in said ends enable the latter at such time to push from the boxing 49 any dust or like matter that may have passed down the side walls of said chamber. The recesses 42 aid materially in enabling the ends of the cam-plates 38 to push the dust and other foreign matter out from the boxing 49 and in preventing such dust from getting below the said cam-plates.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a switch-operating mechanism, the shifting-bar having the seats in its upper side, the locking-bar adapted for engaging either of said seats, a cam-plate for moving said locking-bar outward from said seats, an operatingrod having a lost-motion connection with said shifting-bar, and a connection between said rod and said camplate, combined with the rod 59 adapted to pass over and prevent the elevation of said locking-bar when the latter is on one of its seats, and lever mechanism for shifting said rod 59 preparatory to the movement of said ca m-plate and shifting-bar; substantially as set forth.

2. In a switch-operating mechanism, the shifting-bar having the seats in its upper side, the locking-bar adapted for engaging either of said seats, a cam-plate for moving said locking-bar outward from said seats, an operating-rod having a lost-motion connection with said shifting-bar, and a connection between said rod and said cam-plate, combined with the rod 59 adapted to pass over and prevent the elevation of said locking-bar when the latter is on one of its seats, lever mechanism for shifting said rod 59 preparatory to the movement of said cam-plate and shifting-bar, and a connection between said rod 59 and the signal apparatus so that the latter may be operated simultaneously with said rod; substantially as set forth.

3. In a switchoperating mechanism, the shifting-bar having the seats in its upper edge on different planes, the locking-bar adapted to engage either of said seats, a cam-plate for moving said locking-bar from said seats, an operating-rod having a lost-motion connection with said shifting-bar, and a connection between said rod and said cam-plate, combined with the rod 59 adapted to pass over said locking-bar when the latter is on its lower seat, and lever mechanism for withdrawing said rod 59 from over said locking-bar when the shiftingbar is to be moved in one direction to carry its higher seat below said locking-bar, and for returning said rod 59 to its position over said locking-bar when said shifting-bar has been moved backto its formerposition with its lower seat below said locking-bar; substantially as set forth.

4. In a switch-operating mechanism, the shifting-bar having the seats in its upper edge on difierent planes, the locking-bar adapted to engage either of said seats, a cam-plate for moving said locking-bar from said seats, an operating-rod having a lost-motion connection with said shifting-bar, and a connection between said rod and said cam-plate, combined with the rod 59 adapted to pass over said locking-bar when the latter is on its lower seat, lever mechanism for withdrawing said rod 59 from over said locking-bar when the shiftingbar is to be moved in one direction to carry its higher seat below said locking-bar, and

- ing the shifting-bar having seats in its upper edge, the locking-bar adapted for engagement IIO in either of said seats, the parallel cam-plates for moving said locking-bar upward and having the-vertical arms at their outer ends, the link having the transverse notched arm to engage both of said vertical arms and also having a lost-motion connection with said shifting-bar, and an operating-rod connected with said link for shifting said cam plates and shifting-bar; substantially as set forth.

6. A switch-operating mechanism comprising the shifting-bar having seats in its upper edge, the locking-bar adapted for engagement in either of said seats, the parallel cam-plates 38 at the sides of said shifting-bar for moving said locking-bar upward in advance of the movement of said shifting-bar and having the vertical recesses 42 in the outer sides of their operating ends, means for moving said camplates and said shifting-bar, and the boxing affording a passage for said cam-plates and shifting-bar and a vertical chamber for said locking-bar, the recessed ends of said camplates being adapted to push outward any dust or like matter which may fall upon the edges of the base of saidchamber; substantially as set forth.

7. In a switch-operating mechanism, the shifting-bar having the seats in its upper edge on different planes, the locking-bar adapted to engage either of said seats, and means for moving said locking-bar upward in advance of the movement of said shifting-bar, combined with the rod 59 adapted to pass over said locking-bar when the latter is on itslower seat, and lever mechanism for withdrawing said rod 59 from over said locking-bar when the shifting-bar is to be moved in one direction to carry its higher seat below said locking-bar, and for returning said rod 59 to its position over said locking-bar when said shifting-bar has been moved back to its former position with its lower seat below said lockingbar; substantially as set forth.

8. In a switch-operating mechanism, the shifting-bar having the seats in its upper edge on different planes, the locking-bar adapted to engage either of said seats, and means for moving said locking-bar upward in advance of the movement of said shifting-bar, combined with the rod 59 adapted to pass over said locking-bar when the latter is on its lower seat, lever mechanism for withdrawing said rod 59 from over said locking-bar when the shifting-bar is to be moved in one direction to carry its higher seat below said locking-bar, and for returning said rod 59 to its position over said locking-bar when said shifting-bar has been moved back to its former position with its lower seat below said locking-bar, and a connection between said rod 59 and the signal apparatus so that the latter may be operated simultaneously with said rod; substantially as set forth.

9. In switch-operating mechanism, a shifting-bar connected with the switch-rails, a locking-bar for engaging said shifting-bar and holding the same against movement except at the proper time,means for disengaging said locking-bar in advance of the movement of said shifting-bar,the operating-rod connected with said shifting-bar, and the switch-stand lever for moving said operating-rod, combined with the rod 59 for disclosing whether said locking-bar, upon the movement and return of the switch-rails, has passed into its initial locking position with said shifting-bar, and lever mechanism for operating said rod 59; substantially as set forth.

10. In switch-operatin g mechanism, a shifting-bar connected with the switch-rails, a

locking-bar for engaging said shifting-bar and holding the same against movement except'at' the proper time, means for disengaging said locking-bar in advance of the movement of said shifting-bar, the operating-rod connected with said shifting-bar, and the switch-stand lever for moving said operatin g rod, combined with the rod 59 for disclosing whether said locking-bar, upon the movement and return of the switch-rails, has passed into its initial locking position with said shifting-bar, lever mechanism for operating said rod 59, and a connection between said rod 59 and the sig-' nal apparatus so that the latter may beeperatedsimultaneously with said rod; substantially as set forth.

11. In switch-operating mechanism, a shifting-bar connected with the switch-rails, a

locking-bar for engaging said shifting-bar and holding the same against movement except'at the proper time, means for disengaging said locking-bar in advance of the movement of said shifting-bar, the operating-rod connected with said shifting-bar, and the switch-stand lever for moving said operating-rod, combined with the rod 59 for disclosing whether said locking-bar, upon the movement and return of the switch-rails, has passed into'its initial locking position with said shifting-bar, and the hand-lever connected with said rod 59 for operating the same, the said hand-lever when in its initial position holding the switch-stand lever against movement; substantially as set forth.

12. I11 switch-operating mechanism, a shifting-bar connected with the switch-rails, a locking-bar for engaging said shifting-bar and. holding the same against movement except at the proper time, means for disengaging said locking-bar in advance of the movement of said shifting-bar, the operating-rod connected with said shifting-bar, and the switch-stand lever for moving said operating-rod, combined with the rod 59 for disclosing whether said locking-bar, upon the movement and return of the switch-rails, has passed into its initial locking position with said shifting-bar, the hand-lever connected with said rod 59 for operating the same, and means for locking said hand-lever when in its initial position in proper relation to prevent movement of said switch-stand lever; substantially as set forth.

13. In switch-operating mechanism, a shifting -bar connected with the switch-rails, a locking-bar for engaging said shifting-bar and holding the same against movement except at the proper time, means for disengaging said locking-bar in advance of the movement of said shifting-bar, the operating-rod connected with said shifting-bar, and the switch-stand lever for moving said operating-rod, combined with the rod 59 for disclosing whether said locking-bar, upon the movement and return of the switch-rails,,has passed into its initial locking position with said shifting-bar, the hand-lever connected with said rod 59 for operating the same, the rod connecting said hand-leverwith the signal apparatus, and means for locking said hand-lever when in its initial position in proper relation to prevent movement of said switch-stand lever;

substantially as set forth.

14. In switch-operating mechanism, a shifting-bar connected with the switch-rails, a

- lock for holding said bar in its initial position, means for disengaging said lock to permit the movement of said shifting-bar, and means for operating said shifting-bar, combined with manually-operable means for disclosing whether said look, upon the movement and return of the switch-rails, has passed into its initial locking position with said shifting-bar; substantially as set forth.

15. The switch-rails, and means for shifting the same combined with the head-rod connecting said rails and comprising the threaded rod 24, bars 25, 26,connected with said rails and having the right-angular members 28 receiving said rod 24, and the securing-nuts on said rod 24 at opposite sides of said members 28; substantially at set forth.

16. The switch-rails, and means for shifting the same combined with the head-rod connecting said rails and comprising the threaded rod 24, bars 25, 26, connected with said rails and having the right-angular mem bers 28 receiving said rod 24, and the securing-nuts on said rod 24 at opposite sides of said members 28, the said members 28 at their lower ends extending laterally to lock the nuts at one side thereof; substantially as set forth.

17. The switch-rails, the shifting-bar and levermechanism for operating said bar, combined with the rod 24 threaded at its inner January, A. D. 1903.

EDWARD W. OOUGHLIN. 1 Witnesses:

CHAS. O. GILL, ARTHUR MARION. 

